Recycled tyres pothole repair to be rolled out

In the first seven months of this year, more than 83,500 pothole repairs were carried out across the county council patch

A new method of filling in potholes has proven so quick and successful it has enabled a backlog of repairs to be reduced sooner than expected, a council has said.

Lancashire County Council began trialling the process which aims to prevent potholes from reappearing earlier this year.

The technique, involving the use of recycled tyres, was deployed following a wetter than usual winter which was blamed for a huge increase in highway defects.

In March, the number of potholes in the county council area was on course to hit a record 105,000 within the space of a year, but the new approach has helped the backlog return to what a cabinet report described as "usual levels".

Longer-lasting fix

In the first seven months of the year, more than 83,500 pothole repairs were carried out across the county council patch, a 56% increase on the same period last year.

The use of the Elastomac mastic asphalt technique was said to be "instrumental" in exceeding the target the authority had set for itself.

The warm rubber-based material used as part of the process waterproofs the area surrounding the filled-in hole, removing the risk of fresh water seeping beneath the surface and causing it to open up again, and so ensuring a longer-lasting fix.

Cabinet members have now agreed to waive the usual rules for awarding to contracts in order to ensure the technology can continue to be used on the county's roads ahead of the coming colder and wetter months until a permanent arrangement can be put in place.

"Without the continued use of this innovative system in advance of winter, there is a risk that a similar deterioration [in highway condition] could be expected [this year]," the cabinet report stated.

Cabinet member for highways and transport Rupert Swarbrick said it was "very good value for money".